Tag Archives: Flagstaff

Yavapai County Primary Election night reporting delay

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Arizona-electsPRESCOTT – During Primary Election Night Reporting, Yavapai County, working with new election equipment, experienced technical difficulties properly exporting the results file out of its system. Yavapai County worked throughout the night and exported a results file at approximately 5:40 a.m. Once Yavapai exported the file, that data was successfully uploaded into the state election night reporting system without difficulty. It does not appear to significantly change the results of the primary.

A press release from Leslie M. Hoffman, Yavapai County Recorder, stated:

The elections results for the Primary Election of August 26, 2014 were accurately tabulated, published on the Yavapai County website, and reported to the Arizona Secretary of State. There was a delay in reporting election data to the Secretary of State due to a communication issue that slowed the export of the data to the Secretary of State. The new Unisyn Voting Solutions’ equipment installed by Yavapai County pursuant to ARS 16-442(F) performed as designed. The new equipment is certified by the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission and used in multiple jurisdictions across the country. The vote tabulations were accurate and posted on the County website beginning at 9:30PM and the election data uploaded to the Secretary of State by 6:00AM. The Elections Department is working closely with Unisyn Voting Solutions to resolve the communication issue that created the delay.

The office of the Secretary of State stated in their email:

In May 2014, Yavapai County approved this election equipment for experimental use pursuant to A.R.S. 16-442(F). Since the Secretary of State’s Office certifies an end-to-end voting system, the system as configured in Yavapai County was not certified by the State. This new election system, Unisyn OpenElect, is only used in Yavapai County.

A.R.S. 16-442 referenced provides:

The secretary of state or the governing body may provide for the experimental use of a voting system or device without a final adoption thereof, and its use at the election is as valid as if the machines had been permanently adopted.

Unisyn OpenElect voting systems is part of International Lottery & Totalizator Systems corporation which makes online wagering systems for horse racing and lottery systems. According to the company website, Berjaya Lottery Management (HK) Ltd. in Wan Chai, Hong Kong has become their major shareholder. The Unisyn OpenElect voting system was approved for use by the Election Assistance Commission in 2005.

It appears that the voting problem is not a significant factor in the CD-1 race between Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne, despite television news reports.

What is a factor are the votes yet to be tabulated. According to a press release by the Secretary of State there are still votes yet to be tabulated in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. There are still 2,596 early and 984 provisional ballots yet to be tallied in Coconino. There are 1,894 early and 507 provisional ballots remaining in Yavapai. Only 470 votes separate Tobin from opponent Kiehne.

The current results are not official as the canvasing process is not over. Counties have five-days until the close of business Wednesday, September 3 to verify and process the remaining ballots. A state canvas to certify the election results for national, State and legislative races is scheduled for September 8.

Yavapai County election officials did not respond to a phone call for an interview, but did issue a press release through the office of the Secretary of State.

Primary 2014 done deal. For the most part.

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Arizona-electsSTATEWIDE – Republicans have selected Doug Ducey to represent them in the governors race. John Huppenthal will no longer be the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It appears that Tom Horne has lost his race to Mark Bronovich. Tom Forese and Doug Little will probably be the the Republican candidates for Arizona Corporation Commission.

Michele Reagan will face former Attorney General Terry Goddard for the position of Secretary of State in the General Election.

In Coconino County elections voter turnout matched the predicted 25% with 25.72% of voters turning out to vote. As of 10:25 70 of 71 precints in the county reported.

Coconino County voted for Andy Tobin to represent them with 2,880 votes to 1986 votes for Gary Kiehne with 68 of 71 precincts reporting. Adam Kwasman received 1,308 of the 6,218 votes counted. Throughout the rest of the Congressional District 1, however, the numbers change drastically. As of this writing, the only race left is for Congressional District 1 where 14 votes separate Andy Tobin and Gary Kiehne. with 125 precints yet to report. This is basically the only race that has not been called.

Coconino selected Doug Ducey with Christine Jones coming in second by 2,262 to 1,555 votes respectively. Scott Smith came in fourth with Ken Bennett beating him out by 33 votes for third place. Doug Ducey, of course, has already been declared the Republican Candiadate for governor statewide.

The late Senator Chester Crandell will win the nomination for Senator for Legislative District 6. However Sylvia Allen will be the candidate for the seat. Currently she runs unopposed as there are no Democrats or official write-in candidates facing her. The only opposition she would have is if a write-in files.

There is no surprise that Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe are the Republican nominees for State Representative for LD-6, but they will be opposed by Democrat Lanny Morrison.

In Flagstaff, Celia Barotz leads the Council race with 21.33% of the vote followed by Eva Putzova with 18.03% and Jim McCarthy in third with 15.10% of the vote. Scott Overton is followed by Charlie Odegaard 12.96% to 12.20% respectively.

Sandra J. Moriarity has won over Cliff Hamilton for the Mayor of Sedona with with 407 votes to 373 votes and both precints reporting. For council Angela Lefevre leads the race with 24.8% of the vote followed by John Thompson with 18.71%. Scott Jablow took third place with 16.60% of the vote. Rio Robson took 12.48% of the vote with the rest of the candidates receiving less than 10% each.

In Tusayan Bill Fitzgerald has taken 27.74% of the vote for council member. John Rueter has 24.52% of the vote, Craig Sanderson 20.65% and Rebecca Wirth 19.35%.

Since Proposition 402 passed in Williams, John Moore is declared re-elected for Mayor with the three councilmen; Donald Dent, Bernie Hiemenz and Lee Payne.

In the race for Justice of the Peace in Williams, incumbent Robert Krombeen won 615 votes to 360 votes for contender Jeff Brownlee. The Justice of the Peace race in Flagstaff appears to have gone to Howard Grodman with 53.89% of the vote agains Warren Sanford’s 45.79% of the vote.

In Sedona, Proposition 429 passed 499 votes to 237. Proposition 401 passed in Tusayan 36 to 24 votes. Proposition 400 in the Town of Fredonia passed 86 to 36.

Traffic delays expected on SR 89A due to Coconino County Fair this weekend

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adot-logo3FLAGSTAFF – The Arizona Department of Transportation is urging motorists headed to the annual Coconino County Fair this Labor Day weekend (Aug. 29 – Sept. 1) to allow extra travel time as traffic delays are expected. The main entrance to the Fort Tuthill County Park along State Route 89A remains closed due to an ongoing improvement project and traffic is routinely backed up onto Interstate 17 and SR 89A during special events at the park.

The park’s main entrance at Fairgrounds Road, which intersects with JW Powell Boulevard and SR 89A/Beulah Boulevard, has been closed since early June while ADOT continues construction of the realignment of SR 89A and two new roundabouts at this location.

During the fair, attendees will enter and exit the fairground at two alternate locations north of Fairgrounds Road. The first location is Fort Tuthill Loop, approximately 300 yards north of the main entrance. The second location is at West Purple Sage Trail, which is slightly more than one-half mile north of the main entrance on SR 89A.

Law enforcement officers will be in the area and signage will be placed to guide fairgoers into and out of the park through the holiday weekend.

Construction started on the $6.25 million SR 89A project in May and will continue through the end of the year, until the winter shutdown takes effect. ADOT will return in spring 2015 to perform final paving, striping and sign installation at that time.

In an effort to improve traffic flow and enhance safety, ADOT is reconstructing the SR 89A/JW Powell Boulevard intersection and southbound I-17 ramp/JW Powell Boulevard intersection, both of which were built in the 1950s and do not meet today’s modern safety design standards.

Once completed, SR 89A will be realigned and a new roundabout will facilitate the movement of traffic through SR 89A and JW Powell Boulevard at the park’s entrance. A second new roundabout will aid the flow of traffic using the southbound on- and off-ramps at I-17 and JW Powell Boulevard. In addition, the project includes new bike lanes and sidewalks in the area.

For more information on the project, please visit the project Web page at azdot.gov/I17_Powell, or call 855.712.8530.

Flagstaff Man Arrested for Sexual Assault

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FLAGSTAFF – On Saturday, August 16, 2014 the Flagstaff Police/Coconino County Sheriff’s 911 Dispatch center received a cell phone call from a motorist who said he was driving in the area of Old East Route 66 by the Market Place retail outlets when he was waved down by a female who said she had been physically and sexually assaulted. The 35 year old female victim of Flagstaff declined medical examination and treatment at the scene and was transported to the Sheriff’s Office to meet further with investigators.

Thus far the investigation has revealed the victim was in downtown Flagstaff on Friday evening when she was contacted by her ex-boyfriend, a 45-year old male of Flagstaff. According to the victim the suspect drove alongside of her and ordered her into the car and she complied. During the victim’s contact with the suspect at times he was brandishing a handgun. Initially the suspect drove the victim to the area of Buffalo Park where she exited the vehicle and attempted to escape. According to the victim, the suspect physically assaulted her, bound her hands together in front of her, attempted to choke her, and tied a rope around her neck. The suspect threatened the victim’s life and forced her back into the vehicle. The suspect then drove the victim to an area in East Flagstaff off of Old East Route 66 where he physically and sexually assaulted her.

According to the victim, at one point inside the vehicle the suspect fell asleep allowing the victim to escape. According to the victim she ran to the location where she flagged down the passing motorist.

Following her interview with Sheriff’s Office investigators, the victim was transported to the Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. Deputies issued an attempt to locate on the suspect and his vehicle and he was subsequently located by Flagstaff Police officers and arrested for one count of Kidnapping per Domestic Violence, one Count of Sexual Assault per Domestic Violence, one count of Aggravated Assault per Domestic Violence and one count of Weapons Misconduct/Prohibited Possessor. Due to the previous relationship between the suspect and the victim the suspect’s name is not being released in an attempt to protect the victim’s identity.

Adult Male Campers Engage in Confrontation with a Shot Fired

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MORMON LAKE – Police/Coconino County Sheriff’s 911 Center received two 911 calls that were made from cell phones yesterday at about 11:23 am in Flagstaff. The first caller advised that an angry man with an assault rifle was at his camp site and that he the caller was hiding behind a tree. The second caller told dispatchers that the original caller had fired a shot at him.

While deputies were enroute to the camp site located off FS Road 125 in area of Kinnikinick Lake, deputies requested the 911 dispatcher call both of the involved parties on their cell phones and advise each of them to disarm and separate themselves.

Upon their arrival, deputies contacted a 51-year old male in possession of a 9-mm semiautomatic handgun. The second involved person was a 44-year old male who was in possession of a semiautomatic assault rifle and two handguns. Investigation revealed that although both individuals were from Anthem, they did not know one another. Both individuals were detained without further incident.

Both individuals were camping in the area and came into contact in the parking lot of the Mormon Lake Lodge convenience store where they had a brief conversation. Afterward, they passed each other while driving in opposite directions.

According to one of the drivers, the other driver turned around and began to follow him. In response to being followed, one of the involved parties stopped and exited his vehicle and fired a single shot in what he described as an attempt to warn the driver who was following him.

He then continued to drive to his camp site as the other driver continued to follow him. Once at his camp site, he exited his vehicle and hid behind a bush. The other individual also exited his vehicle with binoculars and an assault rifle. According to the subject with the binoculars and assault rifle, he believed the other driver had fired a shot at him and it was his intent to obtain the license plate number to provide it to the deputies.

No arrests have been made at this time and the case will be referred to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for review and possible criminal charging.

In a situation such as this, it is best not to pull over and shoot at a person who may be following you. You should call 911 first and fire only if you need to. While it is legal to defend yourself, A.R.S 13-401 provides that you can be charged should you hit an innocent third party.

Rainy days and Tuesdays

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rain140819-1025WILLIAMS – The weather for Flagstaff and Williams for the week is roughly the same with Flagstaff getting a slightly better chance for rain on Thursday with 40% chance. The chance in Williams on that day will be 30%.

The long-range forecast for Williams shows a 40% chance of rain tonight and a 50% chance in Flagstaff. The rest of the week there is a 30% chance of rain and thunderstorms dropping to 20% on Friday and a slight chance on Friday night. Winds are expected to be between 5 and 11-mph.

Interestingly the people who normally complain about the snow are complaining little about the current rain. Currently the Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts another unusually dry winter for the region.

More rain for Flagstaff and Williams

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rain-140810-20WILLIAMS – The roar of glasspacks from the Cool Country Cruise-In have been replaced with the rolling thunder of the monsoons. Thunder started sounding about 1pm in Williams and the rain descended shortly thereafter.

Williams and Flagstaff share a similar forecast through next week. 40% chance of showers overnight rising to 50% tomorrow through Wednesday with a 40% chance Monday night. The rain Monday is expected to occur mainly after noon. Winds are expected to be from 5- to 11-mph during that period.

There is a chance of thunderstorm activity from Thursday through next weekend.

Deputy County Attorney receives Prosecutor of the Year Award

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FLAGSTAFF – The Coconino County Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce that one its felony prosecutors has received statewide recognition.

Deputy County Attorney Ammon Barker was awarded Prosecutor of the Year for Rural Counties by the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys’ Advisory Council on July 31st at the annual conference in Tucson. Barker competed against numerous other worthy candidates from other County Attorney Offices, but prevailed as a result of his exceptional year in obtaining jury verdicts in several major criminal cases.

“Ammon had a stellar year in the courtroom and we are very proud of him”, said County Attorney David Rozema.

Barker arrived in Coconino County less than four years ago through the office’s recruitment program with dreams of trying the most violent offenders. During the last year, his dream became reality, as he successfully tried a first degree murder, two machete attack cases and a domestic violence murder. The first degree murder conviction was based largely on a tire print taken from the scene and other scene reconstruction. The other cases presented challenges as well, including evidentiary difficulties and hostile witnesses.

Additional APAAC award recipients from the County Attorney’s Office include Chief Deputy County Attorney Michael Lessler, who received the Prosecutor Lifetime Achievement award in 2006, and former Senior Trial Attorney Jonathan Mosher, who received the Prosecutor of the Year award in 2011.

Man Arrested on Four Counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor

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FLAGSTAFF – Coconino County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a 69 year-old man of Doney Park on four counts of Sexual Conduct with a Minor involving his granddaughter.

On Thursday, July 31, 2014 a Doney Park resident walked into the Sheriff’s Office to turn himself in for engaging in sexual conduct between the years 2006-2011 with his then eight year old granddaughter.

During a subsequent interview with Detectives the suspect made statements implicating himself in the crime of continual sexual conduct with a minor. The suspect was arrested on four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and was booked into to the Coconino County Detention Facility located in Flagstaff.

The suspect’s name and booking photo are being withheld in an effort to protect the victim’s identity.

Arguments ‘For’ and ‘Against’ Coconino County Ballot Tax Question Sought for November 4, 2014 Election

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FLAGSTAFF – On November 4, 2014, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors will hold an election asking the voters of Coconino County to vote on a ballot question that would authorize a County Sales (Transaction Privilege) Tax for maintaining and preserving the conditions of Coconino County maintained roads.

Specifically, voters will be asked:

Shall Coconino County be authorized to levy and collect a three-tenths of a cent ($0.003) sales tax, for a period of twenty (20) years, beginning January 1, 2015, to fund the maintenance and preservation of roads maintained by Coconino County and fund those costs related to, but not limited to, snowplowing, dirt road grading, road surface chip sealing, road maintenance and other road-related expenses?

The proposed three-tenths of a cent ($0.003) sales tax is equal to thirty cents on each one hundred dollars of taxable sales within Coconino County.

Coconino County will prepare an informational pamphlet for the election. The pamphlet will be mailed to all households of registered voters in the county. Arguments “For” and “Against” the ballot question are being requested by the County for inclusion in the informational pamphlet.

Anyone who would like to submit a “For” or “Against” statement regarding the election can mail or hand deliver their statement to Coconino County Elections, 110 E Cherry Ave, Flagstaff, AZ, 86001.

The statement may not exceed 300 words and must include the original signature of the submitting party. If the argument is sponsored by an organization, it must be signed by two of the organization’s executive officers. If the argument is submitted by a political committee, it must be signed by the committee’s chairman or treasurer. The person(s) signing the argument must provide their mailing address and phone number (this information will not be printed in the pamphlet).

The cost to file an argument is $100 per argument filed on paper. If the argument is submitted electronically (on a cd or USB drive), the cost is $75 but, in order to meet the requirement for an original signature, it must be accompanied by a paper copy.

Arguments must be received by 5 p.m., August 11, 2014 in the Coconino County Elections Office at 110 E Cherry Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001.

For more information regarding the statements, call 928-679-7860
.